DEVELOPING STORY. On Monday, the Biden Administration took the first step in releasing $6 billion in Iranian money frozen in South Korea due to U.S. sanctions. Congress was informed that Secretary Antony Blinken signed a waiver to allow international banks to transfer the funds from South Korea to Qatar. The Associated Pressbroke the story.
MONEY GOES TO QATAR, NOT IRAN. South Korea owes the money to Iran for past oil purchase. The waiver signed by Secretary Blinken allows international banks to transfer the money without risking American sanctions. But Iran doesn’t get the money directly. Qatar’s state bank will hold the amount, and release portions of it against Iranian humanitarian purchases after due diligence to ensure the money does not go to fund terrorism.
FIVE JAILED AMERICANS FOR FIVE JAILED IRANIANS. This is all part of a prisoner swap deal that Washington and Tehran quietly negotiated over several months. To show good intention, Iran partially released five Americans [put them under house arrest]. The U.S. is expected to release five Iranians jailed in America for espionage and other serious offenses.
Graphic showing six Iranian-American dual nationals in U.S. detention or on supervised release pending surrender to prison for federal offenses. By Mark Sandeen/VOA
JAILED IRANIANS THAT IRAN WANTS TO SEE FREED. Some of them are dual Iranian-American citizens, others have American residency, and most are involved in illicit activities, including cases linked to American national security. This is what Voice of Americawrote about them last month: “Nizar Zakka, president of U.S. nonprofit Hostage Aid Worldwide (HAW), said Iran is publicly calling for the release of five Iranians in the U.S. to show that it cares about its citizens and not just about securing billions of dollars of funds. But he said Tehran has not named the individuals because they include Iranians who have U.S. citizenship or residency and are likely to stay in the U.S. if released from federal detention or supervision. It would look bad if Tehran named the individuals and those people do not want to return to Iran.”
Iran’s list of inmates it wants released from American custody includes some colorful characters. The above post and story are by The West Australian.
IRAN SIGNALS IT IS BEHAVING TO WIN AMERICAN FAVOR. On Sept. 4, 2023, Wall Street Journalreported Iran has somewhat curbed its uranium enrichment to facilitate talks with the U.S.
CRITICISM. It is certain that President Biden will receive criticism on the release of funds to Iran. The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member, Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho) released a statement: “As I’ve said before, this creates dangerous incentives to capture Americans abroad, provides Iran a cash windfall as it continues to attack U.S. troops and sell drones to Russia, and is tone deaf on the anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s death.” Another Republican, Senator Katie Boyd Britt, posted: “The deal itself is shameful enough. But that the Biden Administration chose today of all days to notify Congress the President is handing $6 billion to the largest state sponsor of terrorism in the world just adds insult to injury.”
Elliott Abrams argued in a Sept. 6, 2023, column, “If the U.S. keeps paying Tehran to free Americans, it needs to reduce the supply of captives.” His column is titled, Iran’s $6 Billion Hostage Business.
Expect a lot of debate on this story centered around America-Iran ties, a topic rich in perspectives. For example, in replies to Sen. Katie Boyd Britt’s post on X, a user, Ron Webber, replied, “Well Senator, I’m not sure you’ll ever read this, but our confiscation of foreign assets is what caused the international community turn away from us.” Only to draw a response from an Iranian-American woman, who commented, “Hi Ron, the Islamic regime started with hostage-taking, now the son of a former American hostage-taker Masoumeh Ebtekar is living in the US.” This was a reference to the fact that a son of one of the Iranian extremists who took American citizens hostage at the U.S. embassy in Tehran in 1979 is now allegedlly living in America.
BIDEN IS GIVING IRAN A TOUGH TIME. PresidentBiden is giving Iran a tough time. For example, last week, the United States seized nearly one million barrels of Iranian oil that was allegedly bound for China. Both CNN and New York Times provided fascinating details on how Washington orchestrated an international operation to bust smuggling by the Iranian IRGC, the terror arm of the Islamic Republic.
IRAN CONTINUES INCITEMENT AGAINST AMERICA. The United States is trying to deescalate tensions with Iran but Iranian leaders, like regime head Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, continues a pattern of incitement against America, possibly to justify future acts of violence, and to tell Iranian people that America is responsible for their economic woes. An example of this is what Khamenei did this week, on Sept. 11, 2023, when his regime handpicked people from a troubled province of the country that has seen anti-regime, ethnic-driven protests. Khamenei met with Baluch people from Sistan-Baluchestan Province and claimed “enemies” try to create “ethnic conflicts” to weaken Iran [In reality, the Khomeinist regime is involved in a bloody crackdown in that region against local Baluch people]. He delivered a long speech on how America’s power is waning in the world and that Russia and China represent the future. See this link to understand the propaganda he tried to sell Iranians watching the speech on live television, and then read this report by independent Iranian media that exposes what Khamenei tried to achieve in this meeting, which comes ahead of the first anniversary of Mahsa Amini protests.
AMERICAN CONDEMNATION OF IRANIAN THEOCRACY. The Congress has overwhelmingly passed three measures that expand sanctions on Iranian leaders, including a bill that honors Mahsa Amini, the 22-year-old Iranian woman killed in regime custody for not wearing hijab properly. We discuss the bill and her case in a separate post below.
Biden Making Headway In Israel-Saudi Contacts. Two Major Developments.
FIRST OFFICIAL ISRAELI DELEGATION LANDS IN SAUDI ARABIA. Here’s something interesting: Saudi, Israeli, and American officials won’t publicly comment on this development. But this story is a big deal. Five Israeli government officials landed in Riyadh on Sunday and attended an international meeting organized by the United Nations agency, UNESCO, the following day. An Israeli official said Saudis treated them well. Some Saudi analysts said this should not be seen as bilateral progress between Israel and Saudi Arabia since UNESCO arranged for Israeli participation. UNESCO is meeting in Riyadh to decide on adding Saudi historic sites to the prestigious World Heritage List. In addition to Saudi officials who allowed it, a lot of credit for this breakthrough goes to Audrey Azoulay, who worked with Saudis and Israelis to make this happen. It was a lifetime experience for ordinary Saudis working at the venue to see Israelis, with Israeli identity cards, in their country. In its report, Agence France-Presse (AFP) spoke to a Saudi commentator who appeared to downplay the significance of the development. But there is no denying that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is preparing his people for change.
Lady of the Moment: UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay speaks during the opening ceremony of the UNESCO Extended 45th session of the World Heritage Committee at the al-Murabba Palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on September 10, 2023. (Fayez Nureldine / AFP – Published by The Times of Israel)
This summer, Saudis also allowed an Israeli sports team to participate in an international event, where the Israeli national anthem was played for the first time on Saudi soil.
“The Saudis had been introducing obstacles during the visa process,” according to the Times of Israel. Also, Israelis would have liked to have higher-level officials attend but the “American officials advised Israel not to put Riyadh in an uncomfortable position while a far more significant bilateral normalization deal was in the works.” And, so, Israeli bureaucrats attended instead. The Israeli delegation was led by the head of Israel’s Antiquities Authority, Eli Escusido, APreported, adding diplomats were part of the delegation. “It is not a bilateral visit, and it was unclear whether they would meet with Saudi officials,” AP wrote.
[Photo credit: Agence France-Presse (AFP)]
SAUDI ARABIA LAUNCHES REGIONAL TRADE CORRIDOR CONNECTED TO ISRAEL. Saudi Crown Prince launched a regional trade corridor at the G-20 Summit in India on Sept. 10, 2023, in the presence of President Biden. The media took a lot of interest in the warm body language between Prince Mohammed bin Salman and President Biden, which is significant considering differences in the recent past. The Wall Street Journalsaid “the project aims to connect Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and potentially Israel by freight rail, then use sea transport to reach India and Europe.”
How Saudis announced the India-Mideast-Europe corridor on their state media. The Saudis call it the Intercontinental Green Transit Corridors (ICGTCs), and they see this as essentially an American-Saudi joint enterprise for the region. [Source: Saudi Press Agency]
SAUDI-AMERICAN CORRIDOR. The official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) talked about “establishing intercontinental green transit corridors through the Kingdom to connect the continent of Asia with the continent of Europe.”
While the project was unveiled at the G-20 Summit in New Delhi, India, the SPA said the project is based on a framework developed by Washington and Riyadh for a series of corridors, and that Riyadh “welcomes the role of the United States of America to facilitate and support the negotiations, establishment, and implementation of the green corridors transit protocol with the relevant countries.”
ISRAEL BENEFITS. The port of Haifa on the Mediterranean is one of the clear winners in this U.S.-Saudi network of corridors connecting Asia to Europe. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a video clip showing how “Israel is at the focus of an unprecedented international project that will link infrastructure from Asia to Europe.” Premier Netanyahu thanked President Biden for his efforts in making this happen.
Bibi announces “a good week” for the citizens of Israel [Source: X]
FULL TEXT OF NETANYAHU STATEMENT. The official account of the Prime Minister of Israel posted the full statement of PremierNetanyahu on the landmark India-Mideast-Europe corridor announcement:
“This link will realize a multi-year vision that will change the face of the Middle East, and Israel, and will affect the entire world. This vision starts in India, passes through the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Israel before reaching Europe.
I welcome the statement released today by the USA, India, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and the European Union, as well as France, Italy and Germany. They announced the launch of a pioneering initiative to develop an economic corridor from India, through the Middle East, to Europe.
The State of Israel, will be a central junction in this economic corridor. Our railways and ports will open a new gateway from India, through the Middle East, to Europe, and back – from Europe to India via Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
I thank President Biden and his administration for the effort that has led us to today’s historic announcement. Several months ago, the US contacted us regarding the realization of this historic opportunity. It has since held diplomatic contacts to bring about today’s breakthrough.
Its vision reshapes the face of our region and allows a dream to become reality. The initiative includes construction of railways, laying of a hydrogen pipeline, the energy of the future, laying of fiber optic communications cables, electricity cables and more infrastructure.
The State of Israel will contribute its capabilities, all of its experience, momentum and commitment, to realize the largest cooperation project in our history. All government ministries will be instructed to join in realizing this dream.
I have directed the National Security Council, in the Prime Minister’s Office, to coordinate the staff work and also the close cooperation with the US and other countries in order for this vision to become reality as soon as possible.Today is a day of major news for all citizens of Israel, news that will lead us to a new, unique and unprecedented era of global and regional cooperation and involvement. Together we will succeed.”
Check out our last month’s newsletter on interesting moments in the story of Israeli-Saudi normalization and the role of Jack Rosen and the American Jewish Congress. [Click here]
DON’T MISS THIS LOOKBACK INTO ISRAEL-SAUDI NORMALIZATION HISTORY. We rolled out a nice pictorial display last month about this history, including the role of Jack Rosen, President of the American Jewish Congress, and past leaders of the organization, in pushing the envelope on Israel-Saudi normalization. We did this in a special edition of Mideast Watchpost, our newsletter aimed at our audience in the Middle East. Check that edition here. We have also explored the possibility that the next annual Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca might see direct flights for Israeli Muslims [See Will 2024 See First Hajj Flight From Israel To Saudi Arabia?]. And this: Israel Supports Saudi Arabia’s Bid To Host World Expo 2030
Crucial Vote in Congress on Bill Named After Woman Killed By Iran Regime for Improper Dress.
Battle lines are drawn for a bill that awaits Senate vote and could sanction Iran’s two top leaders – Supreme Leader Khamenei and President Raisi – among others. [Source: social media].
OVERWHELMING FULL HOUSE VOTE CONDEMNS IRAN’S KHOMEINIST THEOCRACY. Friends of Free Iran, Iranian-Americans, and Iranians inside Iran who have punctured through social media restrictions erupted in jubilation Monday evening when Congress passed the Mahsa Amini Human Rights and Security Accountability Act (shortened to “MAHSA Act”) in a full House vote. The US House of Representatives has voted 410-3 for a bill that hardens the sanctions against the Supreme Leader and the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Specifically, three separate measures were passed on Iran Monday evening, in an impressive show of American political consensus on punishing Iran’s Khomeinist theocracy that grabbed power in 1979.
THE MAHSA AMINI BILL. One of the three bills on Iran passed by the house is the so-called Mahsa Amini bill, the MAHSA Act. The U.S. House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee unanimously advanced the MAHSA Act [H.R. 589] in April 2023. The bill is referenced as S.2626 in the Senate.
BIPARTISAN SUPPORT. The bill was drafted by Xiyue Wang and introduced by congressman Jim Banks. It had 128 cosponsors (60 Democrats, and 68 Republicans) as of June 22, 2023. Banks posted a statement on X: “NOW: The House just voted to pass my bill the #Mahsa Act to sanction Iran’s Supreme leader and his inner circle! Saturday will mark one year since Iran’s ‘Morality Police’ murdered 22-year-old Mahsa Amini.”
THREE IRAN BILLS. The first bill targets Iran’s production and exports of missiles and drones. It sanctions Iranian officials involved. The second bill imposes sanctions on senior government officials for “human rights abuses and support for terrorism.” The third bill condemns the Iranian government for the persecution of the Baha’i minority.
A CONGRESSIONAL PUSH ON IRAN. The Associated Press, or AP, writes the near-unanimous vote is significant: “The near-unanimous passage of all three represents a renewed condemnation by Congress against Iran’s government, which engaged in a brutal crackdown of its citizenry after the September 2022 death of Mahsa Amini in police custody.”
ADVOCACY AND HURDLES. You can click here to see how Iranian-Americans and Iran policy wonks lobbied in the runup to the vote on the X website under the hashtag #MAHSAact. The next step is a vote in the Senate. It will be interesting to see how the vote pans out considering the delicate diplomacy around U.S. efforts to deescalate tensions with Iran. Washington is already handling that while keeping the screws tight on the regime in other areas.
In Case You Missed: American Jewish Congress Released Excerpts From Communication Between Its President Jack Rosen And King Abdullah II of Jordan on Royal Wedding
The American Jewish Congress released excerpts from correspondence between our President Jack Rosen and His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan that were made on the occasion of the wedding of Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II and Princess Rajwa Al Hussein.
The Royal Hashemite Court of Jordan conveyed His Majesty the King’s “appreciation” to Phyllis and Jack Rosen’s “thoughtful message of congratulations” on the occasion.
This release reflected Mr. Rosen and the American Jewish Congress’s long association with partners across the Middle East who are good friends and allies of the United States of America and Israel.
This statement on ties between Mr. Rosen and the Jordanian royals coincided with the new ambassador of the United States taking charge in Amman, Jordan. The statement extended the best wishes of Mr. Rosen and the American Jewish Congress to Ambassador Yael Lempert. See Mr. Rosen’s letter to the Jordanian king below.
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Some Of The Developments We’re Watching…
ELON MUSK VS. ADL. The tiff between the entrepreneur and the Anti-Defamation League has snowballed in recent days and has drawn more people in. Musk took to his website X to accuse ADL of “killing” his site by allegedly keeping American advertisers away. But Musk’s critics have identified a disturbing pattern of antisemitic tropes in his recent statements and posts. David Austin Walsh says Musk has crossed a line. And former congressman Steve Israel wants Musk to apply the equivalent of Tesla’s self-correcting navigation on his behavior, in strongly-worded opinion in The Hill.
ISRAEL’S PROTEST MOVEMENT TAPS PR HELP IN D.C. According to documents filed with the Justice Department last week, Blue and White Future, a Tel Aviv-based nonprofit, has retained a U.S. PR firm to boost its cause. The NGO helped fight the government’s judicial overhaul through crowdfunding and financing efforts. The group was formed recently and was covered by The Times of Israel in a May 2023 report on the protest movement’s finances.
NETANYAHU IS COMING TO AMERICA, BUT NO OFFICIAL MEETINGS ANNOUNCED YET. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will land in San Francisco on Sept. 18, 2023, where he will meet tech executives at Silicon Valley before heading to New York City for the annual United Nations General Assembly meeting with other world leaders. It is unclear yet if he will be meeting President Biden. Such a meeting is yet to happen since Netanyahu’s reelection last year in a landmark sixth stint as prime minister.
(Source: StopAntisemitism)
THREE IN FIVE JEWISH AMERICAN STUDENTS ENCOUNTER CAMPUS ANTISEMITISM. Extensive survey shows 57% of Jewish students reported having witnessed or experienced antisemitic abuse during their time on campus, according to ynetnew.com quoting an extensive Ipsos survey, conducted in collaboration with the Jewish on Campus NGO and supported by the World Jewish Congress.
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